ACLU concerned about Wilmington plan to ban gangs from parks

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The American Civil Liberties Union says it has “serious concerns” about a proposal Wilmington City Council is considering that would ban gang members from city parks.

If adopted, Wilmington would be the first city in the state to enact such a law.

In a letter to City Council, the ACLU says while keeping communities safe is an important goal, the proposed ordinance “may violate the freedom of association and invite profiling or other arbitrary enforcement.” The ACLU says police have other tools already available to fight the city’s gang problem, “(h)owever, simple membership in a gang is not a crime and cannot be criminalized as it is constitutionally protected associational activity,” the ACLU argues.

The ACLU-NC’s policy director plans to be in Wilmington tonight as City Council is scheduled to discuss the issue at its meeting. It starts at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

“Leaders of the National Rifle Association plan to press members of Congress in the coming weeks to block the National Security Agency’s controversial program to collect records of Americans’ phone calls, arguing that the surveillance efforts can be used as a “backdoor” to construct a national gun registry.”

“Board members also will hear a report on the NRA’s surprise decision this month to file a friend-of-the- court brief on behalf of an ACLU lawsuit to halt the NSA collection program as an unconstitutional violation of American privacy rights”

Yeah I guess the ACLU is needed to protect “liberties”
While I disagree with a LOT the ACLU has done they do serve a legitimate purpose.
Stop drinking the kool aid………..and try to maintain an open mind.

Vog

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Tom P.

2015 years 8 months ago

A shame that we need to ACLU to protect liberties like this.

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beach guy

2015 years 8 months ago

The best Idea I have heard in years make sure its an unarmed white Guy in a suit with a nice watch and ring etc. lets see who’s rights get violated then.

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GuestACLU

2015 years 8 months ago

I have an idea…. Let ACLU volunteer to patrol the parks.

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Guest555888999

2015 years 8 months ago

How in the world does the City expect enforcement of such a silly ordinance? It sounds like a revenue generator after someone gets charged for a crime in a park. “Oh, by the way, we found out you’re in a gang, so here’s a city citation!” Ridiculous!

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Guest-o-matic

2015 years 8 months ago

The ACLU always sticks their fat nose where it doesn’t belong. They don’t have a dog in this fight at all. Must be afraid they’ll lose a few supporters, they don’t have many left.
Here’s an ACLU member picketing at a park with a sign:

“Violent Gang members are Humans too!”

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windy

2015 years 8 months ago

Since when do street gangs (aka thugs) constitute a protected class? While it is illegal to discriminate based on gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual preference, etc., gang affiliation has nothing to do with it. How ridiculous, a human rights organization that actually WANTS to keep gangs in our public parks…